Boxing expert Robert Garcia expressed his desire to witness a second showdown between Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Terence Crawford. He suggests Alvarez (63-3-2, 39 KOs) possesses the capability to triumph over Crawford in a rematch, provided he adopts an aggressive fighting style, willing to absorb blows in order to deliver his own.
Garcia emphasized that Alvarez needs to rediscover his inner drive, suggesting its absence contributed to his defeat against Crawford (42-0, 31 KOs) via unanimous decision over twelve rounds on Saturday, September 13, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
An Expensive Call to Make
The decision regarding a potential rematch rests with Turki Alalshikh. Currently, there are no clear indications suggesting he favors another fight between them, a stance that is quite understandable. He invested substantially in securing the participation of both Alvarez and Crawford, offering significant financial incentives.
However, neither fighter delivered a performance that fully justified their respective earnings. Alvarez reportedly received $150 million, while Crawford earned $50 million. Should a rematch occur, it is plausible that both would seek increased compensation, making the endeavor potentially unsustainable.
Alternatively, Turki could allocate those funds towards hosting numerous engaging events showcasing younger, dynamic fighters known for their relentless action, thereby avoiding the disappointment of passive performances or stamina issues, as observed on Saturday night.
In Turki’s position, distancing oneself from Alvarez and Crawford might be prudent, focusing instead on offering Crawford a bout against David Benavidez exclusively. Should Crawford decline, attention could be directed towards more receptive and driven contenders.
Alvarez’s future opponents should ideally be limited to stationary fighters, avoiding those who rely on movement. His recent matches in 2025 against Crawford and William Scull, both agile fighters, highlighted this vulnerability. Concentrating on engaging exclusively with stationary opponents for the remainder of his career would be a more strategic approach, given his limitations in pursuing mobile adversaries around the ring.
Garcia Advocates for Alvarez-Crawford II
“I’d be thrilled to see a rematch. With renewed motivation, I believe he can overcome Crawford,” remarked trainer Robert Garcia to Fight Hub TV, expressing his conviction that Alvarez could defeat Terence Crawford in a subsequent encounter if he regains his competitive edge.
The prospect of a second fight has not garnered widespread enthusiasm among fans, a sentiment that is easily understood. The initial encounter was perceived as uneventful, characterized by Crawford’s excessive movement, reminiscent of a track athlete, prioritizing safety throughout the majority of the rounds.
Presumably, Crawford did not feel beholden to Turki Alalshikh despite the $50 million purse, opting instead to prioritize his strategic approach, focusing on minimizing risks. While he displayed moments of aggression in the ninth round, such intensity was lacking in other rounds. Had the fans considered the fight exceptional, they would likely be advocating for a rematch, which is not the case.
Engage Through the Punches
“Crawford possesses considerable talent, yet I maintain that Alvarez can defeat him. He demonstrates resilience. My belief is that if he disregards the power of Crawford’s punches and commits to throwing his own, enduring some blows in the process, he can persist until he connects,” Robert commented.
Enhanced aggression, improved physical conditioning, and a scoring system that values bodyshots could significantly improve Alvarez’s chances of winning a rematch against Crawford. Even if Alvarez experiences fatigue in the later rounds, securing a lead in the initial rounds could still lead to victory. Ultimately, the judges’ scoring will play a critical role.
The judges’ assessments on Saturday seemed to undervalue Alvarez’s body shots on Crawford, as well as the pressure he applied. It was Alvarez who dictated the pace of the fight, while Crawford primarily focused on evasion. One could argue that Alvarez performed well enough to secure victory in eight of the twelve rounds.
Need for Corner Adjustments
“They have accomplished significant achievements together. However, there needs to be more proactive guidance from the corner, advocating for greater aggression. Their current approach is too relaxed,” Garcia commented regarding Alvarez and his longtime trainer Eddy Reynoso.
During the Crawford fight, Reynoso attempted to ignite Alvarez’s fighting spirit between rounds, urging him to adopt a more aggressive approach. However, Alvarez did not consistently follow these instructions. When Alvarez finally increased his aggression in the ninth round, Crawford capitalized by landing repeated counter punches and combinations, arguably making it his most successful round.
After the ninth round, Alvarez appeared to lose momentum, reverting to throwing single punches and failing to maintain the necessary offensive pressure against Crawford.
